The research behind the identification of KLS-13019 as a Lead Candidate has been published in American Chemical Society’s ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters. This novel cannabidiol-like compound has potential to treat neurodegenerative and oxidative stress related diseases including hepatic encephalopathy, traumatic head injury, stroke, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Dean Petkanas, Chief Executive Officer of Kannalife stated, “My greatest appreciation goes out to all the scientists and professionals credited and cited for the body of science behind the publication of KLS-13019, for their steadfast efforts and deep rooted belief in the work we are performing at Kannalife. I also want to thank the American Chemical Society for accepting this publication and the peer review scientists who took the time to improve the manuscript.”

A series of side chain modified resorcinols were designed for greater hydrophilicity and “drug likeness”, while varying hydrogen bond donors, acceptors, architecture, basicity, neutrality, acidity, and polar surface area within the pendent group. Our primary screen evaluated the ability of the test agents to prevent damage to hippocampal neurons induced by ammonium acetate and ethanol at clinically relevant concentrations. Notably, KLS-13019 was 50-fold more potent and >400-fold safer than cannabidiol, and exhibited an in vitro profile consistent with improved oral bioavailability.